Russia

Member Report from Russia

REPORT MADE AT 2014 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Mrs. Natalia Kiseleva, translator for Dr. Ruslan Khalilov, Russia: Mr. President, Executive Committee members and fellow delegates. Russia is represented by Dr. Ruslan Khalilov, Registrar of the Russian Arabian Stud Book, I am pleased to present this report on his behalf. First of all, we want to say many thanks to the organizers of this WAHO Conference for the great work they have done and to the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club for their great hospitality.

I will now report on the Arabian horse affairs in our country. To begin with it should be mentioned that now there are 3 state studs, 3 breeding farms and 52 private owners in Russia. The breeding stock of Arabians totals 68 sires and 290 broodmares, the total living population is about 2,000. The yearly foal registrations decreased from 264 in 2011, to 219 in 2013. This is the result of reduction of number of broodmares used for breeding. The owners that have a small number of mares don’t want to burden themselves with the care of receiving and breeding of foals because of some difficulties with their realization. Here are some figures: a few years ago Russia exported from 50 to 70 Arabian horses yearly, now we export only about 12-13 Arabians a year. The reduction of the import can also be seen. In 2013 only 8 Arabian horses were imported to Russia, while in 2011 the number of imported Arabians had been 17.

Due to organization of the Association of Breeders of Arabian Horses in 2010, RASB is the member of the Association, the geography of Arabian shows is getting wider now. Arabian shows were usually organized at International Equestrian Exhibitions “Equiross” in Moscow and “Hipposphere” in St. Petersburg. Now Arabian shows are run on the territory of such studs as Tersk, Veles and other places during the festivals, in the presence of a large number of people. The number of Arabian horses participating in shows increases constantly. 74 Arabian horses participated in shows in 2011 and 141 horses were at show rings in 2013.

Arabian horses are tested at four race courses in Russia: in Moscow, in Kazan, in Pyatigorsk and in Krasnodar. About 200-220 Arabians race at the age of two (40%) , at the age of three (40%), and at the age of four and older (20%) in Russia each year. Last years endurance racing became more popular due to activity of Federation of Equestrian International of Russia. Regional and All-Russian endurance races are held more often now.

All the population of the Arabian horses in Russia has been evaluated since 2005 and the WAHO Trophy is annually awarded by the Registering Authority to the most remarkable Arabian horse according to the results of the year. In 2012 the mare Aiova, owned by a private owner, became the winner of WAHO Trophy in Russia. Undoubtedly awarding the WAHO Trophy causes the sense of pride in the owners and interest of other people.

A number of equestrian magazines and journals are published in Russia, one of them is the oldest journal “Horse Breeding and Equestrian Sport” that has been issued since 1842 in Russia. This is a scientific and methodological journal established by the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, and is published by the All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding. The problems and sport activities of Arabians are widely reported and discussed in the journals.

People have an opportunity to enjoy the variety of popular activities for Arabians as well as for other horse breeds at annual horse exhibitions. Besides this, different seminars and conferences on horse breeding, with reviews of the current state and prospects for development, are regularly organized for breeders, owners of Equestrian Clubs and breeding farms, heads of Equestrian Schools, specialists and students.

Since 2009 Russia has been microchipping and using DNA testing of Arabian horses. We use the Laboratory of Genetics of the All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding that is an ISAG member since 1983 and has Rank 1 on the results of the last Comparison Test. In coordination with the decision of the Ministry of Agriculture it is not permitted to export or to test Arabians on the racetracks without microchip and DNA test. On the basis of RASB conclusion the Ministry of Agriculture gives the permission on export or import of each Arabian horse.

In 2014, volume 12 of the Russian Arabian Stud Book has been published that includes the produce of mares till 2012 inclusive. The next volume 13 will have been compiled by 2017. The stud book volumes are issued as .pdf files and as printed books in two languages, Russian and English. We also have an online database containing the information for more than 8,000 Arabian horses at our website www.base.ruhorse.ru. Thank you very much for your attention.

REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Mr. Igor Botchkarev, Russia: I would like to inform you that the head of our delegation is Alexander Timchenko, the General Director of Rosplemkonzavod Association.

The traditions of breeding Arabian horses in Russia take their roots in the 19th century. These traditions are linked to such famous Russian breeders as Count Sherbatov and Count Orlov. The first Arabian horse stud book was published in 1901 in Russia, the follow up edition came out in 1903. Our WAHO recognized stud book started to be published since 1965 and 10 editions have been published to date, the last volume was published in 2007 and contains information on the horses that were born up to 2004. Additional supplements are issued during the time between the stud book editions which contain the breeding information for the current year. Our next stud book is due in December this year, 2009.

Today there are about 850 purebred Arabians living in Russia, among them 65 stallions, 227 broodmares and the rest are horses of different ages. These horse belong to 41 different breeders. The major breeding farm is still Tersk Stud Farm, which was founded in 1921. The second biggest is Khrenovoe Stud Farm which was founded more than 230 years ago, in 1776, by Count Orlov. Other breeders own in the range of 2 to 15 broodmares.

In 2008, 195 mares were bred and 149 foals were registered from the 2007 breeding season. 2 horses were imported from France, none were exported in 2008 however 6 mares were taken abroad temporarily for breeding. In 2007, 291 broodmares were bred and 66 stallions were active in breeding, 217 foals were registered from the 2006 breeding season. 9 horses were imported and 9 were exported. We use immuno-genetics markers through blood and DNA typing and we issue WAHO recognized passports for the control and identification of Arabian horses.

Arabian horse-racing continues to be popular in Russia, the major racetracks are located in Moscow, Kazan, Pyatigorsk and Krasnodar. A new state-of-the-art racetrack will start operation this year. 190 horses took part in 95 races in 2008. Two ECAHO shows were organized in Russia last year, one in Moscow and one in St. Petersburg. 14 endurance competitions were organized in 2008 by the Russian Equestrian Federation. 36 Arabian horses took part in those rides, which represent about 20% of the total number of competing horses.

The 2008 WAHO Trophy for Russia was awarded to the mare Nahodka, she was born in 1994 sired by Drug out of Nasechka. She has excellent exterior features which are in line with the type of Russian Arabian horses bred at Tersk Stud Farm and is an outstanding broodmare. Thank you for your attention.

REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:

The last volume, number 10, of the Russian Arabian Stud Book was compiled and published in April 2007. It contains the information of stallions, mares and progeny for the period 2001-2004. It is ready for distribution and will be sent out in May this year.

The Russian Arabian Stud Book registered 228 purebred Arabian foals in 2005, and 231 in 2006. There has not been any significant change in the number over the last 5 years. The number of active breeding stallions and broodmares have also been stable over the last few years, with 35-40 sires and 23-250 broodmares in the country.

State studs and private farms are now experiencing hard times with the export and sale of purebred Arabian horses inside the country. The most successful is the Tersk Stud in this regard. Annual auctions in the Netherlands have been greatly conducive to the international sale of Russian horses, with 281 purebred Arabian horses exported from Russia during the period 2001-2005. Among them 23 horses to Germany, 152 to Holland, 12 to Switzerland, 21 to England, 10 to Norway, 15 to France, 11 to Spain, 4 to Denmark, 1 to Belgium, 2 to Greece, 1 to Saudi Arabia, 3 to Azerbaijan, and 26 to Mongolia. Tersk stud exported a total of 255 Arabians from the above numbers since 2001-2005. Most horses – 70 – were exported in 2002, but each year since then the number of sold horses has decreased, So 59 were sold in 2003, 54 were sold in 2004, but only 34 in 2005. 26 horses were sold by “Oros” Stud to Mongolia in 2005. We consider the reason for this decrease in sales may be explained by the situation in the world market. The number of imports to Russia is not large, only 15 horses were imported during the period 2004-2006, among them 5 from France, 7 from the United Arab Emirates, 1 from Poland, 1 from Morocco and 1 from Jordan.

To be registered for the first time, foals must be parent verified and blood-typed. Starting from 2007 we have started DNA typing of all foals born. We are not micro-chipping horses yet, but it is in our plans for the future. It is allowed by our “Rules and Regulations for Keeping the Russian Arabian Stud Book” to use Artificial Insemination of Arabian mares, but the method is not widely used in practice.

The most popular activities for Arabians include flat races which take place at 5 racetracks in Russia. We test our Arabians on the racecourse at the age of 2, 3, 4 and older, about 200 horses take part in racing each year. We also organize 2 ECAHO affiliated shows each year, one is held in St. Petersburg and 1 is held in Moscow, and we have seen the number of participating horses growing every year at these shows.

To promote the purebred Arabians in Russia, the Association ‘Rosplemkonzavod’ and ZAO ‘Sokoros’ and the Russian National Arabian Horse Society have recently issued the magazine “Arabian Review” to give information about all activities in the Arabian breed, such as racing and showing.

In 2007 Russia reported 245 foals registered, with 9 imports and 9 exports. Racing and showing remain the most popular activities for Arabians in Russia.

Russia has awarded their 2016 WAHO Trophy to the twice Russian National Champion Mare and outstanding broodmare, the beautiful flea-bitten grey Borodina, a daughter of Molvina by Balaton, thus tracing to the very influential mare Mammona on her female line. She is the dam of many top quality foals, several of which are now old enough to be excellent producers in their own right, such as Beatrix and Banderos, and the very promising filly Belosnejka Tersk, a result of using stored frozen semen from the famous Tersk-bred stallion, Muscat. She is a very deserving winner of Russia’s WAHO Trophy, as they celebrate her as one of their best broodmares at Tersk Stud.

AIOVA – 2013 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

Russia’s 2013 WAHO Trophy has been awarded to the chestnut mare Aiova. She has proved herself to be one of the most valuable mares at the private studfarm of Mr. A.A. Belov, and a bright representative of the famous and numerous family descending from Mammona. Her sire Vatikan (Vatican) was an outstanding racehorse in Russia before his export first to Holland in 1988 and later to France in 1992 and thence to Jordan in 1999. From 39 runs, Vatikan won 9 races and placed 16 times, his wins included six top stakes races. Aiova’s dam Academy was an important broodmare at Tersk Stud. Aiova herself ran 10 times before retiring to the breeding barn at her owner’s farm.

Aiova is now the dam and grand-dam to an increasingly successful family, including many multiple race winners – two of which are winners of the Great Kazan Derby.
Among the best are the following:

Antuan by Nougatin (17=1-1-1-4), winner of Entrance Prize, second in Prize of Tersk Stud, 4th in Aswan Prize)

Dartanian (16=2-3-3-3) winner for 2 year old colts, for two year old horses

Patrik (19=4-3-6-2) Trial for 2 year old colts, Great Summer Prize, Open, Great for 2 year old colts

VALUEVKA – 2011 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

Valujevka was awarded Russia’s 2011 Waho Trophy. This lovely grey is one of the most valuable broodmares of the modern Russian broodmare stock. It is her input that increased interest in the important racing damline descending from the mare Sapine (1923 by Djebel out of Samara) who was one of the foundation mares at Tersk, imported there from France in 1930.

In her own racing career, Valujevka proved to be sound, fast and courageous. From 6 runs, she won 3 races including the Group I Great Prize for fillies (Oaks) and she was 3rd against the colts in the Group I Great Russian Cup (Derby). Two of her daughters, Valensia by Nougatin and Vestfalia by Marwan have followed in her hoof-prints to also win the Group I Great Prize for fillies (Oaks).

Presently, the Valujevka family consists of eleven active broodmares and four breeding stallions and is now well into the next generations, with many top class wins on racetracks not only in Russia but also around the world. Her best progeny, up to 2 generations, include the following:

GANGUT – 2010 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

Gangut has been awarded Russia’s 2010 WAHO Trophy. He is one of the few direct grandsons of Mukomol still at stud and used by Russian breeders of Arabian horses. His sire Narmat (1987, by Mukomol out of Nevesta) is full brother to the Russian Derby winner Naum.

Gangut himself had an excellent racing record, winning three races including the Group II Summer Cup and placing 3rd in three Group I races, the Budyonny Stakes, St. Leger and Great Cup. His descendants show great speed potential on racetrack and success in endurance. To date, Gangut has sired 12 broodmares and 3 breeding stallions including several Group winners, an Oaks winner, and now some of his offspring are also taking part with good success in the increasingly popular sport of endurance. His best offspring are the following:

Barkas was awarded with the WAHO Trophy for Russia for the year 2009, at the age of 18. This attractive grey stallion is a horse of great racing potential and excellent endurance and for many years he has been considered one of the three best performance-sires in Russia. He won 7 of his nine races, including the Autumn Prize and the Big Summer prize, before retiring to stud. He has been used as sire at Russia’s largest Arabian stud farms. Barkas proved himself not only as an improver of the race and endurance horses, his descendants have been successful in show ring too. His daughter Paramba became the Champion of Russia in 2009, his another daughter Mirabilis became reserve champion in the “Liberty” class of National Show in 2008. Barkas has so far sired 27 broodmares and 4 breeding stallions. Several of his immediate offspring have been exported and raced with success overseas. Some of his best progeny include the international endurance horse Novosibirks out of Neringa, winner of 4 races and in endurance his successes include 1st in “Oraida Prize” CEN 2* 80 km, 2nd in „Commonwealth Cup“ CEI 1* 80 km, 8th in “Old Ryazan City Cup” CEN 2* 120 km, and 2nd in international CEI 2* 120 km. Other endurance specialists sired by Barkas include Abdul Bari out of Arktika; Ahtuba out of Arktika, Bilbao out of Balashiha; Farlep out of Nesmeyana; Pitbul out of Pamela; and Sambo out of Sakora.

NAHODKA – 2008 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

The WAHO Trophy for Russia was awarded to the outstanding mare Nahodka in 2008. She has excellent exterior features which are in line with the type of Russian Arabian horses bred at Tersk stud farm and is an excellent broodmare. Among others, she is the dam of the Russian Derby winner Nonius.

(more information & photo to follow)

ANCHAR – 2006 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

The stallion ANCHAR , by the renowned stallion Moment (Salon/Malpia) out of the esteemed broodmare and Russian derby winner Nutria (Topol/Nasturcia), has been recognized with the 2006 WAHO Trophy by RASB, Rosplemkonzavod and the Russian Arabian Horse Breeders Association.

Anchar raced 38 times at Pyatigorsk, winning 11 times, placing 2nd six times, 3rd seven times and 4th three times. During his racing career he won the major prizes of Europe, Summer, Entrance and Great Sprinter.

Anchar, 25 years young.
Photo credit: Deirdre Hyde.

Since 1989 Anchar has been equally successful as a breeding stallion, having sired 186 foals up to 2006. Many were highly successful at the racetrack and many of his descendants have been exported. Two of his sons are currently used as sires at Khrenovoe and 18 of his daughters have been included in the broodmare band of Russia’s state and private studs.

Russia is very happy to celebrate Anchar’s achievements in this, his 27th year, by awarding him the 2006 WAHO Trophy.

MADIAR – 2005 WAHO Trophy Winner – Russia

The Russian Arabian Horse Stud Book and the Russian Ministry of Agriculture – Rosplemkonzavod, have awarded the 2005 WAHO Trophy for Russia to the stallion Madiar, Race and Show Champion. Madiar combines a classic Russian pedigree with athletic prowess and beauty and is a well-deserving winner of the first WAHO Trophy for Russia.

This outstanding horse was born in Tersk stud – the cradle of Russian Arabian horses. He is a tall (1m 60 cm), powerful stallion with fantastic movement, whose charisma makes this special unforgettable impression on everybody who sees him.

He has a superlative race record, racing for six seasons from the age of 2 to 7. From his first race he proved himself as a serious racehorse, starting his career with a win in the Grand Prix for 2-year- olds, the most prestigious race for young horses in Russia. After that he never left a chance for others in the major races for 3-year-olds and older horses. Madiar is the “Triple Crown” holder not only according to the traditional Russian system, winning major events in each age group – Grand Prix for 2-year olds, Russian Derby and “Topol” Stakes; but also according to European classification, coming first in Group 1 races for 3-year-olds: Derby, “Grand Summer” Stakes and “Budenny” Stakes. He also won other top class races including the Aswan Prize, and the Grand Sprinter prize. Madiar also proved his top class on the European tracks: in 1998 he won the Darc Stakes in The Netherlands and the Prix Pompadour in Switzerland. In 2000 he came second in the Nagrada Europa in Warsaw. Altogether, his career race record is 31 = 15-9-2. This is how his life long trainer Alexander Hubulov describes him: “However competitive and strong Madiar’s opponents were, I was always confident that he would give the race 100%, and even one thing more, which is only possessed by special race horses – his heart”.

After his successful racing career, Madiar returned to his home stud to start his new career as a breeding stallion. In 2004, he proved again his Champion status, but this time in the show ring, his exceptional movement and excellent Arabian type winning him the title of Senior Champion stallion during Saint Petersburg ECAHO C-show.

His success on the racetracks and in the show ring is largely owed to Madiar’s exceptional pedigree. His sire Drug (by Prizrak and out of Karinka – one of the best mares in Tersk history and still a race record holder) was 1991 European Show Champion and twice named European Racehorse of the Year (1990 and 1991). Altogether, Drug has left big impact on the Arabian breed worldwide. Madiar’s dam, Martinika, is the daughter of renowned Aswan and out of the famous broodmare Monogramma. The full sister of Madiar, Madiera, is currently one of the best broodmares in Tersk, and her first filly, Mari, in 2004 smashed two National race records over 1000 m and 1200 m.

Madiar, Russia’s 2005 WAHO Trophy winner

Due his to long racing career, Madiar started producing in the stud relatively late, but already there are a number of true racetrack “fighters” among his offspring. These include Vahmister, winner of a number of prestigious races in Kazakhstan; Vamplana, who was second in the Oaks in 2005; Medium, who had a good racing career on the Moscow racetrack; and Pyatigorsk racetrack favorites Kaiman and Monomah.